ReservationOvernightHigh Demand

White Rim Road Permit

100-mile loop around Island in the Sky. A bucket-list 4x4 or bike adventure.

“Circle the Island in the Sky mesa on a 100-mile ledge road that traverses some of the most expansive canyon country on Earth.”

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Demand

High

8/10

Method

Reservation

Booking Method

First-Come, First-Served

White Rim Quick Facts

Permit RequiredYes

Booking MethodReservation

Demand LevelHigh8/10

Key Information

Permit Details

TypeOvernight

Booking MethodReservation

Demand Level8/10

LocationUT

Pro Tips

•Book 4 months out
•Spring and fall are best
•Permits sell out in minutes

What to Expect

Route Details

Distance

100 miles

Elevation Gain

7,500 ft

Route Type

Loop

Duration

3-4 days biking, 2-3 days 4WD

Difficulty

Strenuous

Elevation Range

3,900 - 6,200 ft

Highlights

•100 miles of primitive road with sand, rock, and technical sections
•Dramatic elevation changes at entry/exit points
•No water anywhere on the route
•Primitive campsites with pit toilets only

Best Time to Visit

Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) offer ideal temperatures. Summer is brutally hot.

Hazards & Considerations

!No water on entire 100-mile route
!Extreme heat in summer
!Deep sand sections can trap vehicles
!Cliff edges with significant exposure
!No cell service

How to Get This Permit

Create a Recreation.gov account

Know the release schedule

Permits typically release on a rolling basis. Check the specific release time for your desired dates.

Be ready when permits drop

Monitor for cancellations

If your dates are sold out, people cancel all the time. Set up PermitSnag alerts to catch openings instantly.

Apply at Recreation.gov

When to Go

Peak: Summer monthsShoulder: Spring and Fall

Conditions

Summer offers the most reliable conditions for most wilderness areas.

Crowd Level

Moderate

Advantages

+Longest days
+Warmest temperatures
+Reliable trail conditions

Challenges

!Peak demand for permits
!Book accommodations early
!Weather varies

Difficulty Assessment

Physical Demand4/5

Fitness and endurance required

Technical Skill3/5

Climbing, scrambling, or specialized skills

Exposure Risk3/5

Steep dropoffs and fall potential

Navigation1/5

Route finding and trail clarity

Commitment4/5

Difficulty of bailing out mid-route

Best For

Experienced mountain bikers or 4WD drivers comfortable with primitive conditions and multi-day self-support.

Recommended Experience

For biking: multi-day bikepacking experience. For driving: 4WD experience on technical roads required.

Not Recommended For

Those who can't handle heat or carry sufficient water, inexperienced off-road drivers, casual cyclists.

About This Permit

White Rim Road is a 100-mile primitive loop that circles the Island in the Sky mesa. The route has become legendary among mountain bikers and 4WD enthusiasts as one of the premier multi-day routes in the American Southwest.

The Experience

Why It Matters

White Rim Road offers a unique perspective on Canyonlands' geology—riding or driving the bench between two cliff systems that define the Island in the Sky district.

The Route

From Island in the Sky, Shafer Trail plunges 1,500 feet in switchbacks to the White Rim. The route circles the mesa passing Murphy Hogback's challenging climb and countless canyon overlooks.

The Feeling

The road hugs a narrow ledge between towering red walls above and the churning Green and Colorado Rivers far below. You're suspended in space, the horizontal vastness broken only by distant buttes.

Rules & Regulations

•Day-use AND overnight permits required for all vehicles and bicycles
•Maximum 3 vehicles and 15 people per campsite
•E-bikes permitted
•ATVs, UTVs, and OHVs prohibited
•Pets prohibited
•Campfires prohibited

Gear Checklist

Required

Minimum 1 gallon water per person per day
High-clearance 4WD with low range (if driving)
Mountain bike with wide tires (if biking)
Shade shelter
Full-size spare tire

Key Landmarks

↑

7,500ft

Gain

↓

7,500ft

Loss

⛰️

6,200ft

High

📏

60.0mi

Distance

📐

0.1%

Avg Grade

Click on a marker to view details•5 landmarks

Landmarks (5)

Safety & Planning

🚨

Emergency Info

Download the PermitSnag app for offline access to emergency contacts, ranger station locations, and satellite communicator tips for White Rim.

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🐻

Food Storage

Check bear canister requirements, approved container lists, and rental locations in the PermitSnag app.

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White Rim FAQ

How do I get a White Rim permit?

White Rim permits are obtained through a reservation system. Use PermitSnag to track availability and get notified when cancellations occur.

When is the best time to visit White Rim?

Check with the managing agency for current season dates. Weekdays generally have better availability than weekends.

How competitive is the White Rim permit?

This permit has a demand score of 8/10, making it highly competitive. We recommend having backup dates and using PermitSnag's cancellation alerts.

What if I can't get a White Rim permit?

Cancellations happen daily. Set up alerts with PermitSnag to get notified the moment a spot opens up. We check availability every few minutes, 24/7.

Photography Guide

Golden Hour

Sunset from any campsite offers spectacular light on the canyon walls. Shafer Trail overlook at dawn catches first light on the La Sal Mountains.

Best Light

Early morning and late afternoon create the best contrast. Midday works for Green River overlooks.

Beat the Crowds

Spring and fall weekends see heavy traffic. Midweek trips in shoulder season offer near-solitude.

Classic Shots

📍Looking up at Shafer Trail switchbacks
📍White Rim bench with Island in the Sky above
📍Mountain bike silhouette on White Rim ledge
📍Green River Overlook at sunset

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